The Texan Podcast - Daily Rundown - April 15, 2025

Episode Date: April 15, 2025

Want to support The Texan and help us continue providing the Lone Star State with news you can trust? Subscribe today: https://thetexan.news/subscribe/Learn more about the Data Center Coalition at: https://www.centerofyourdigitalworld.org/texasThe Texan’s Daily Rundown brings you a quick recap of the latest stories in Texas politics so you can stay informed with news you can trust.Want more resources? Be sure to visit The Texan and subscribe for complete access to our in-depth articles, subscriber-exclusive newsletters, videos, podcasts, and more.Enjoy what you hear? Be sure to subscribe and leave a review!

Howdy folks, today is Monday, April 15th and you're listening to the Texans Daily Rundown. I'm the Texans Assistant Editor Rob Lauschis and here is the rundown of today's news in Texas politics. First up, the race to succeed Attorney General Ken Paxton has its first high-profile candidate in state Senator Mays Middleton, who announced his candidacy on Tuesday. Middleton said in his announcement, quote, I am running for Texas Attorney General to continue the fight

for our shared conservative values that keep the Texas miracle alive. The seat will be open due to Paxton's decision to run for U.S. Senate against incumbent Senator John Cornyn in 2026, which he made official last week. Next, former Texas Congresswoman Myra Flores has officially thrown her hat into the ring to challenge the indicted Congressman Henry Quayar and his 20-year-plus tenure representing Texas's 28th congressional District in Washington, D.C. Flores posted on X, quote,

I am deeply honored to announce my candidacy for Congress, a chance to serve the people and uphold the values that make our nation great. She first won a congressional seat in a special election after Democratic Congressman Philemon Vela resigned in 2022, allowing her to flip the historically democratic 34th congressional district. She also ran against state representative Vicente Gonzalez twice, losing first in the 2022 general election and second in 2024.

Shortly after the 2026 announcement, Flores's team announced that she had been hospitalized. No further information on her condition has been provided. Stay tuned for more news updates after this short message. Data centers fuel 364,000 Texas jobs, generate $3.5 billion in state and local taxes, and power essential services like banking, healthcare, and video calls. With 21 connected devices per household and soaring data demands, these hubs drive Texas' booming economy,

shape its technological future, and keep your data here in the U.S. To learn more, visit centerofyourdigitalworld.org. slash Texas. Now returning to your daily Texas news. In other news, the Texas House Republican Caucus' right flank secured the record votes

they sought during last week's budget proceeding, including one instructing budget conferees to include back pay withheld from Attorney General Ken Paxton during his 2023 impeachment. On Monday, the Texas Senate declined to confirm the House's changes to the budget passed during last week's marathon proceeding. When there are differences between the two chambers' version of legislation, a conference committee is triggered to hash out a final product. This happens virtually every session with the state budget. When this was brought up in the Texas House on Tuesday, along with a motion to appoint

conferees, who were ultimately State Reps Greg Bonin, Mary Gonzalez, Stan Kitzman, Angelia Orr, and Armando Walli, the body first moved to a different kind of motion. State Rep Mitch Little proposed a motion to instruct the House's conferees to push for the financing of roughly $63,000 in back pay, withheld from Paxton in 2023. Motions to instruct are not binding. Also, landowners along the proposed high speed rail route between Dallas and Houston are cautiously optimistic about news from the Federal Department of Transportation. On April

14, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced that a $63.9 million grant previously awarded to Amtrak for the Dallas to Houston project would be terminated. Duffy said in a press release, quote, I am pleased to announce that the Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak are in agreement that underwriting this project is a waste of taxpayer funds and a distraction from Amtrak's core mission of improving its existing subpar services. Last but not least, the Texas Senate approved a proposed amendment to the state constitution on Monday that would alter the membership of a state body responsible for regulating the conduct of current and retired judges across Texas. Senator Joan Huffman's Senate Joint Resolution 27, co-authored by Senator Judith Zafferini,

seeks changes to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct, created in 1965 to investigate allegations of judicial misconduct and issue disciplinary action. That may include recommending a judge for suspension or removal from office. Under the current statute, the commission consists of 13 members, including six judges appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas, two attorneys appointed by the State Bar of Texas who are specifically not judges, and five citizen members appointed by the governor who are neither attorneys nor judges. All appointees must be confirmed by the Texas Senate.

SJR 27, as amended by Huffman on Monday, removes two members appointed by the state bar. Instead, the commission would be composed of four justices or judges, one justice of the peace, one municipal court judge, and seven governor-appointed citizens. Thanks for listening. To support the Texan, please be sure to visit the texan.news and subscribe to get full access to all of our articles, newsletters, and podcasts.